Exclusive: Watford owner Gino Pozzo told to avoid Giorgi Chakvetadze transfer action | OneFootball

Giorgi Chakvetadze has been linked with a move to the La Liga side

Spanish side Valencia are said to be exploring a deal for Watford attacker Giorgi Chakvetadze.

That’s according to journalist Sacha Tavolieri, who states that the La Liga outfit have approached the Hornets to discuss the deal.

The Georgia international was a key creative influence for Watford last term in an otherwise difficult season in front of goal, but is yet to turn out for the side this season with a foot injury.

We asked Sky Sports pundit Don Goodman whether the Hornets need to do all they can to keep him, or whether now is the right time to sell.

Watford urged not to sell “best players”

Speaking exclusively to Football League World, Goodman said: “Yeah, [Giorgi] Chakvetadze is going to be a player that Carlos Corberan would have come up against when he was head coach at West Bromwich Albion, and so he would see the real danger that this fella provides.

“I think Watford [owner] Gino Pozzo has gone on record to say that they want to have a bit of more of a go, ultimately at getting back to the Premier League.

“If that is true, then you don't sell your best players, and clearly, certainly last season, he was that player who could make things happen.

“It was a struggle for goals anyway, even with him, they've added some real good attacking options to the squad.

“So, if they were asking my advice, obviously I'd be keeping him and selling him the ambition of Watford this coming season.”

Chakvetadze’s departure would leave significant creativity to replace

Last term was not Watford’s most productive in front of goal, netting just 53 goals across the season, some 18 fewer than Norwich City, just one place above them in the table.

Vakoun Bayo only just reached double figures with 10 league goals, and he was the only one to break that milestone for the Hornets last season.

Chakvetadze himself only notched two, but he was the side’s top producer in the Championship for 2024/25, registering six assists, one more than the talismanic Imran Louza.

As Goodman identifies, with goals already an issue at Vicarage Road, the last thing new boss Paulo Pezzolano needs is a key creative spark ripped out of his side.

It won’t be easy to convince Chakvetadze

Although Goodman notes Pozzo’s ambition to climb up the league, and their exciting attacking additions with the likes of Nestory Irankunda and the loan of Luca Kjerrumgaard, already on two goals this term through his decisive brace against QPR, it will be difficult for Chakvetadze to turn down Valencia.

Watford have strengthened, but they still look to be some way off challenging at the top of the table, so talk of a Premier League adventure any time soon may seem fanciful to a player.

The Georgian turns 26 at the end of this month, so doesn’t have forever to wait until he is entering his peak years, and La Liga is undoubtedly a bigger stage than the Championship, with the opportunity to play at venues like Camp Nou and the Bernabeu, against some of the best players in the world.

It is little wonder, per Tavolieri’s report, that Chakvetadze have no issue agreeing personal terms, as it is an incredible opportunity.